Wet markets in Southeast Asia and access to healthy diets
Hunger and malnutrition in all forms continues to rise in Africa and Asia. Urban and rural communities’ diets in Southeast Asia (SEA) are increasingly unhealthy, with consumption influenced by affordability and convenience. The cost of a healthy diet is a major barrier to accessing healthy foods in SEA. Wet markets are key places in food environments where people buy and sell a variety of foods. They are especially important for food and nutrition insecure communities. This mini narrative review explores the role that wet markets, in SEA food environments, play in providing local communities with access to healthy foods. Fourteen peer-review papers, published in English between 2017 and 2022, were identified during screening and analysed according to six food environment domains. Findings highlight that convenient access to wet markets facilitates access to fruits and vegetables in peri urban and urban areas. Fresh foods, most notably fruits, were viewed as being more expensive than processed foods which in turn influenced purchasing behavior. Divergent findings were presented in the identified papers regarding affordability of food in wet markets. Concerns about food quality and the use of chemicals and pesticides were raised. This review was constrained by several factors including the lack of consistent and meaningful definitions and typologies of the varied forms of wet markets. Looking ahead, better defined interpretations of wet markets can enhance the development and refinement of appropriate policies and actions and comparison of wet markets, in respect of access to diverse, healthy foods, vendor practices and consumer food choices.
Nutritional, economic, social, and governance implications of traditional food markets for vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic narrative review
Traditional food markets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are pivotal urban spaces, especially for vulnerable populations. These markets are vibrant hubs for commerce, cultural exchange, and social interaction, yet they face challenges such as food safety issues, inadequate infrastructure, and regulation that is a complex mix of informal mechanisms in need of a balanced degree of formalization. Rapid urbanization in SSA and the vulnerabilities of informal settlements underline their enduring importance. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted their crucial role in promoting food access, supporting local economies, and preserving social connections during crises. However, a comprehensive understanding of their multifaceted impact on urban life remains limited. This study provides a systematic narrative literature review with the aims of mapping the existing literature and evaluating their complex impact on vulnerable communities. The review employed a systematic search strategy, encompassing research studies and gray literature. It highlights the geographic distribution of studies across SSA, with a concentration in East and Southern Africa.
If the farmer grows, who will buy? Building Demand under the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS)
, Global
The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) relies on a cross-cutting ecosystem of research, policy, production, and demand working together to drive the adoption and consumption of 'opportunity crops'
Towards a Food Systems-Transformative National Policy on Food and Nutrition in Nigeria
Key Messages • A 2024 preliminary assessment of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016-2025) found that about a third of its targets are roughly on track but that the policy needs to be updated to achieve its potential, and to take advantage of the opportunities provided through food systems transformation. • Since the Policy would be due for full review in 2025, there is ample opportunity to evolve it to the current context and thinking. • Some key areas a new national food and nutrition policy must expand on include: legislative frameworks, more relevant conceptual frameworks, resilience, engagement with the education sector, expanded partnerships, private sector responsibilities, wins for climate and nutrition, shifting demand away from unhealthier to healthier foods, food safety, rethinking trade policy, promoting innovation and technology, and being more responsive to the needs of women.
GAIN MOZAMBIQUE’S PORTFOLIO
To address the triple burden on Mozambican’s Food system, GAIN in Mozambique is focused on innovative, scalable, and impactful initiatives aimed at identifying, updating, and disseminating legislation; developing businesses that produce and distribute safe and nutritious food; and implementing approaches to increase the demand and consumption of healthier diets by all Mozambicans
FOOD FORTIFICATION: Policy Recommendations to Strengthen Programmes and Enhance Impact
KEY MESSAGES Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread globally; recent studies revealed that 1 in 2 children and 2 in 3 women are deficient in at least one micronutrient Fortifying staple foods with micronutrients is a costeffective and safe intervention that is proven to prevent micronutrient deficiencies and related outcomes While food fortification programmes are widely implemented around the world, gaps remain. The availability and coverage of high-quality fortified foods are often low, even in countries with fortification mandates, and many countries that could benefit from fortification programmes do not have them. Countries need support to implement best practices around appropriate programme design, effective monitoring of quality and compliance, and regular review of programme assumptions to ensure they remain safe and impactful over time. National governments, industry, technical partners, and donors all have diverse roles to play in strengthening food fortification programmes and enhancing impact.
Can AI Chatbots Help Demystify Food Policies?
Using OpenAI LLM (GPT-4o) and embedding models, GAIN developed a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)-based chatbot and connected it to a database of 28 publicly accessible food and nutrition policy documents from Bangladesh.
WorldFoodDay: Social Protection at GAIN
GAIN's Approach to Nutrition-Sensitive Social Protection Through partnerships, policy advocacy, and programmes, GAIN works in seven countries to make social protection systems more nutrition-sensitive and better equipped to combat systemic and intergenerational inequities that limit the reach of vital services.